“We’ve been making sure our family, friends, volunteers, and community partners who helped make the event a success are accounted for and are OK.
The team has been working with city officials and first responders in the aftermath of all this. We’re in the process of coordinating our next steps.
Filipino BC and the Lapu Lapu Day team has received many offers of support and sympathy. At this time, we are actively figuring out a transparent process to ensure accountability in channeling resources to those in need.”
He also warned against material that has been circulating following the attack, including apparent Google Docs aggregating people’s personal information.
He said:
“It’s a great concern that things are circulating that haven’t been vetted and it’s not clear who’s attempting to collect people’s information as in who is the individual that created these Google Docs.
It’s fully understandable that there’s an immediate reaction to wanting to spread seemingly helpful information but we want to ensure that we lead with transparency and accountability. I have no idea who the owner is of those Google Docs and have zero visibility into what information has been collected and that should raise red flags for anyone who cares about the public good.”
Canada has released the following statement regarding the car-ramming attack:
My husband, Whit and I extend our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims of the tragic attack that occurred at the Lapu Lapu Festival in Vancouver. A joyous celebration of Filipino culture, community and heritage ended in loss of life and serious injuries as a result of a horrific act.
I also want to express my gratitude to all the first responders who rushed to the scene of the incident; your courage, dedication, and swift action in the face of such devastation are deeply appreciated.
Here are some images coming through the newswires from Vancouver:
Mark Carney finished his address by saying the strength and resilience of the Filipino community is highlighted by the term bayanihan, a tradition of helping out your neighbour in a spirit of civic mindedness.
“We will comfort the grieving, we will care for each other, we will unite in common purpose, “ he said.
Carney’s speech is over but stick with us as we will continue to bring you the latest developments about the attack.
A news conference with the Vancouver Police is expected to be held at 10:00 in Vancouver (17:00 GMT, 18:00 BST) – and we will be covering that live.
Mark Carney said:
Last night, families lost a sister, a brother, a mother, a father a son or a daughter.
Those families are living every family’s nightmare. And to them and to the many others who were injured, to the Filipino Canadian community and to everyone in the broader lower mainland – Vancouver – I would like to offer my deepest condolences and my wishes for strength and compassion in this tragic time.
I know that I join all Canadians in mourning with you. I know that Canadians are united with you.
Carney says that the police are calling the incident – in which at least 9 people were killed and more than 20 others injured – a “car ramming attack”.
The prime minister thanked emergency responders and says an investigation is ongoing to understand how and why the attack occurred.
Mark Carney said overnight he was briefed by his national security and intelligence adviser and the public safety minister about the situation.
He said, based on current evidence, there is no “active threat to Canadians”. The prime minister added that his ministers are “closely engaged” with local law enforcement, along with provincial and municipal officials.
Mark Carney is speaking now. The prime minister said, along with the rest of the country, he was “shocked, devasted and heartbroken” to hear of the news of the deadly incident in Vancouver.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is expected to make a statement about the deadly incident shortly.
Rebecca Ratcliffe is the Guardian’s Southeast Asia correspondent
Migrante BC, a non-profit organisation that advocates for the rights of migrant Filipino workers, said it was “deeply shaken and saddened by the tragic events that took place tonight at the Lapu-Lapu Day block party in Vancouver”.
It said:
As a Filipino organization rooted in the community, we are devastated to hear of the injuries suffered by our fellow kababayan [fellow Filipinos], including seniors and children. While details are still being verified, our thoughts, love, and solidarity are with all the victims, their families, and everyone affected by this tragedy.
This was meant to be a celebration of our history and unity. Instead, it has become a moment of deep grief and concern for our community.
We call on the Filipino community to come together — to offer strength, compassion, and support to one another during this difficult time. Migrante BC stands ready to assist in any way we can and to support efforts for healing and accountability.
Source: theguardian.com
